Elders in Kakamega have endorsed Governor Wycliffe Oparanya’s re-election bid in 2017.
This is due to his leadership qualities he has shown they said.
Chairman Josephat Sakwa made the announcement in a statement on Friday following a consultative meeting at Golf Hotel.
Sakwa said the Governor spent most of his term putting in place structures for devolution and should be given another chance to complete his projects.
He said the elders cited the construction of the county's teaching and referral hospital, income generating initiatives, road, education and security projects.
This was during their discussion of the socio-economic, political and development issues affecting the people of Kakamega.
Sakwa said the elders were aware of the Jubilee administration's efforts to frustrate the Governor's bid through various court cases.
“We know Jubilee is desperate; they are employing all tricks in the book to frustrate Oparanya politically and create space for their candidate,” he told the Star.
Sakwa said the elders council wanted Senator Bonny Khalwale to postpone his bid for governor to 2022.
“To be governor you need to be an administrator, not a politician. This is the difference between Oparanya and his opponents; most of them are politicians,” said the chairman.
Oparanya will face Senator Khalwale, former Medical Services minister Amukowa Anangwe, businesswoman Marble Muruli and Retired Major Suleiman Sumba in 2017.